Could preemies grow to be Nexium users?

Those taking Nexium are usually suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease and looking for a way to decrease unwanted symptoms associated with the condition.

Those taking Nexium are usually suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease and looking for a way to decrease unwanted symptoms associated with the condition. These may range from burning pain behind the breastbone area to reflux that grows increasingly difficult to deal with when lying down. As a result, it's not uncommon for those who have GERD to wake frequently during the night, making for difficult mornings.

Causes of GERD
There are a number of things that trigger symptoms of GERD, including certain foods, medicines and even weight. However, the question is, why? A recent study conducted by professionals from the American Gastroenterological Association found that children who are born prematurely may be at a higher risk for developing GERD.

The reasoning behind this, the study found, was that when children are born prematurely, they are not fully developed. This is often reflected in their small sizes and low birth weights. This can lead to inflammation of the esophagus, which may ultimately turn into GERD. If a child experiences these symptoms over an extended period of time, he or she is also at risk of developing esophageal cancer.

"Therefore, those exposed to reflux early in life, such as preterm-born infants and children, may face a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer," Dr. Lina Forssell, an author on the study, said in a statement. "Having found an increased risk of esophagitis among those born preterm, it is important that we try to quantify their subsequent risk of developing esophageal cancer."

The numbers
It's not uncommon for infants to experience GERD during their first year of life, however, it generally subsides as they grow. When these symptoms continue past that point, 40 to 77 percent are likely to develop esophagitis. These risks are higher when:

A child is three times as likely to have issues if born 32 weeks or more early

These kids are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with esophagitis by the age of 10

Researchers also found that these conditions were more common in males than females, although the reasoning is unknown.

In order to prevent recurring exposure to acid reflux, many patients with GERD contact their Canadian online pharmacy to purchase drugs such as Nexium. Although it will not provide immediate relief of symptoms, Nexium can be successful in preventing future instances of acid reflux.